Tris-2-chloroethyl phosphate (TCEP) is a biorecalcitrant flame retardant and plasticizer. It is a toxic and carcinogenic compound that is frequently detected in wastewater effluents and water bodies, including those used for drinking water, around the world. Due to the incomplete removal of TCEP from current wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities, effective treatment processes must be identified that will remove TCEP from water. This research investigated the effectiveness of Fenton’s oxidation for removing TCEP from water. In laboratory scale experiments, batch reactions of aqueous TCEP solutions were conducted at different pH conditions and dosages of H2O2:Fe2+:TCEP molar ratios. Samples were tested at pH values ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 and H2O2:Fe2+:TCEP molar ratios from 5.0:0.5:1 to 200:5.0:1. TCEP concentrations were quantified by solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography (GC). Complete removal of TCEP was achieved at equilibrium conditions with a molar ratio dose of 150:5:1 H2O2:Fe2+:TCEP. The kinetics of TCEP removal were also investigated. Pseudo-first order rate constants for TCEP removal were obtained.

The effectiveness of ozonation was also investigated in this research. Batch reactions of aqueous TCEP at different doses of ozone were conducted at pH 7.0 ± 0.1. Ozonation was found to have no effect on the degradation of TCEP.